Executive Director’s Message – June 2024
As Brain Cancer and Brain Tumor Awareness Month draws to a close, we reflect on the stories of resilience and hope shared by two of our patients in this newsletter. As we step into June, National Cancer Survivors Month, we are reminded of the profound privilege it is to accompany thousands of individuals on their path to survivorship.
Teen Patient Continues Cheerleading Through Proton Therapy Treatments
Mya Thibodeau is a 15-year-old young woman passionate about cheerleading and exercise. It was a shock in December 2023, when Mya was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She feared her cheerleading days would have to end, but with proton therapy at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, Mya found hope and returned to cheerleading while undergoing part of her treatment for brain cancer.
Forever Grateful: A Donor Wall Upgrade With Room to Grow
A new tribute to the many people, foundations and organizations that have generously supported the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute over the years was recently unveiled.
Gastrointestinal Cancer
Survivor Spotlight: David Bruyn
David Bruyn has been through a lot. Following two strokes and brain surgery, he faced another challenge when a hemorrhagic brain stem stroke impacted his ability to swallow, leading to the installation of a feeding tube.
NAPT Honors Congressman John Rutherford with Inaugural Champion Award
The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) awarded its inaugural Champion Award to U.S. Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL) for his steadfast efforts to safeguard patient access to proton therapy.
Seamless Cancer Care
Seamless. That is how Ron Howorth and his wife, Ya, described their experience receiving proton therapy treatment at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. In 2023, Ron was diagnosed with prostate cancer and started looking into the many options available for cancer treatment.
Brain Tumor
Survivor Spotlight: Kama Anderson
Kama Anderson shares her journey battling a meningioma so that others know what to look for if they have similar symptoms, and because while not labeled as a cancer, a meningioma is just as dangerous. It also requires surgery, radiation and other cancer treatment methods.
UF Health Supports You and Olympic Athletes With Groundbreaking Care
If you’ve had treatment at UF Health, you share something in common with Olympic athletes. UF Health is the only U.S. Olympic & Paralympic National Medical Center located in the Southeastern U.S. providing care for Team USA.
Community Calendar
Mark your calendar and join us when we are in a town near you or online.
For patient events at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, Go to For Patients & Families for details.
10th Annual Senior Expo & Health Fair – Nassau County Council on Aging
Location: Atlantic Recreation Center, 2500 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Free Community Event! Join UF Health Proton Therapy Institute and more than 60 community organizations for information about healthcare resources in the area. Find out the benefits of proton therapy for over 20 types of cancer.
For More Info: Contact Christina Mershell at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.
C.A.R.E. Expo 2024 at the Riverside Arts Market
Location: Riverside Arts Market, 715 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204
The 2024 C.A.R.E (Clinical Assistance Resources & Expertise) Expo provides our community with a fun and engaging health fair to share a range of cancer-focused and healthcare services provided by UF Health Jacksonville. The UF Health Proton Therapy Team will joining the Expo at the Riverside Arts Market (RAM) to bring information about proton therapy to the community. Providing patient-focused, research-driven and personalize cancer care to the people who need it most is important to us. We hope you can come out and enjoy this Saturday at RAM!
For More Info: Contact Christina Mershell at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org
Proton Therapy for Head & Neck and Skin Cancers – UF Health Jacksonville Coding Department
Location: UF Health Jacksonville
Proton therapy can be a treatment option for many people with head & neck cancers, especially skin cancers on the head and neck. We will be sharing insight into the research around radiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with the UF Health Jacksonville coding team.
Are you interested in a presentation for your department or organization? Contact Christina Mershell at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K
Location: EverBank Stadium, 1 EverBank Stadium Dr, Jacksonville, FL
Join UF Health Proton Therapy Institute and UF Health Jacksonville teams as we make strides against breast cancer at the annual American Cancer Society’s Making Strides of the First Coast 5k walk. We walk to support our family members, friends, and the patients we have had the honor of caring for over the last 18 years. Come on our and walk with us, or just enjoy the event festivities! Sign up to join our team and receive event updates at: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/UFProtonPinkWarriors.
For More Info: Contact Christina Mershell at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.
Join our team at: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/UFProtonPinkWarriors.
Prostate Cancer Conference for Patients & Caregivers
Location: The Brownwood Hotel & Spa, 3003 Brownwood Boulevard, The Villages, FL 32163
Join us at this FREE conference for prostate cancer patients and caregivers developed by Jan Manarite and Your Prostate Cancer Help organization. Dr. Curtis Bryant will be answering all your questions about proton therapy as a speaker on the panel discussion about radiation treatment options for the newly diagnosed prostate cancer patient. Dr. Bryant joins an extensive group of prostate cancer experts at this free conference that is dedicated to providing education directly to patients. Patients who have been through proton therapy for prostate cancer will also be available to answer your questions. This is a free event, including a free lunch. Find conference registration info at: https://bit.ly/4deKgSH.
For More Info: Contact Christina Mershell at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.
Want to keep up to date? Enter your email below to be added to our monthly email list.
About This Newsletter
The Precision Newsletter is an electronic-only publication that is distributed by email. Each issue is sent periodically to patients, alumni patients and friends of the University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute. As the official newsletter of the Institute, the content is compiled and prepared by our communications
representative and approved by the editor. Special bulletin newsletters may occasionally be prepared when timely topics and new developments in proton therapy occur. If you would like to send a Letter to the Editor, please click here.